The Pagans are attacking Christians (Catholics) in India, burning their homes and killing people:

http://in.news.yahoo.com/137/20080826/736/tnl-four-killed-in-orissa-riots-vatican.html

These Pagans have no respect for us Christians, I can't understand the Capitalist fascination with these so called "Oriental" religions which are nothing but idol worship.

St. Paul said that "the gods of the gentiles are devils".

Why should we be tolerant with the Hare Krishnas and all these pseudo religions (as well as all those sects like the JW's, Mormons, etc.), they're nothing but big business for their founders and managers.

It is my personal belief that Inter-religious dialogue has failed and should not continue because it makes Christians weaker, just look at all these Christians who are now suffering. It's indeed sad that countries like India, Korea, Japan, Thailand still have entire populations living in Pagan darkness.

We must remember to Pray peace and not to incite intolerance. When I was a child Growing up in the U.K I was always taught how peaceful Hindu teaching is. Seems that this conflict is less religious and more political/economic.

Prayers for those suffering in India.

Where are the real Jesuits when we need them?

CDL

A few of them are in India. But it's amazing how the Indian government makes it difficult for clergy who are not Indian citizens to come to India and do any pastoral work.

As I remarked on another thread, it's horrific how some alleged Christians are trying to Hinduize the Church.

Fr Serge

Shades of Fatima!

The Society of Jesus is the largest religious order in the Catholic Church and nearly 30% of its members (5,690 religious priests and brothers) are in South Asia (which includes India, 20%) and East Asia-Oceania (which includes my native country, the Philippines, 10%).

These "real" Jesuits are there throughout Asia running "good" Catholic schools, colleges, and universities, which are valued highly by the local populace, rich and poor.

The current crisis in the State of Orissa, India, is more of a socio-economic problem than religious, although it stems from the caste system spawned by Hinduism and still allowed and tolerated by the Indian government.

Hindu fundamentalists are attacking Catholic Christians because the tribals and dalits (the lowest in the caste system) have found deliverance from "economic slavery," which treathens the socio-economic "superiority" of the Indian Hindus who traditionally consider themselves atop the pecking order.

The Catholic Church in India has levelled the playing field and it is now drawing ire from Hindu extremists.

During a break in his weekly catechesis yesterday, Pope Benedict XVI called for an immediate end to the violence against Christians in India:

http://www.zenit.org/article-23486?l=english

Amado

Full story:

http://www.asianews.it/index.php?l=en&art=13089&size=A

Amado

Dear Mexican,

The article you link to states the involved parties fired on each other.

Gang violence perhaps?

I find the Gospel lost in this situation and many like it. The CHRISTIAN witness and interreligious dialogue MUST continue; lest WE become like them.

Final thought. Today as always any religion can be dismissed as "big business", especially mainsteam Christianity, however you slice it.

We must find common ground before we can convert anyone....bottom line.

The Catholic Church, the Orthodox Church, all Christian Churches are failing because we fight (not just disagree, but fight) amongst each other.

Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and save us.

Have there been any updates?

Indeed, Hinduism in general has nothing against Christianity. But to those who feel that Christianity slowly liberates the lower-rung castes; thus threatening the order of the caste system... Why won't they have a problem?

It's also disgusting to hear, that socio-economic rankings still exist in this modern world.

.from Fr. Russel Raj, OCD


ORISSA ANTI CHRISTIAN VIOLENCE UPDATE: 25th August 2008

1. NUN REPORTED BURNT ALIVE: A Christian woman, possibly a nun, was
reported burnt alive on 25th August 2008 by a group of Vishwa Hindu
Parishad mob which stormed the orphanage she ran in the district of
Bargarh (Orissa). Police Superintendent Ashok Biswall has told this to
news reporters. A priest who was at the orphanage was also badly hurt
and is now being treated in hospital for multiple burns.

2. NUN RAPED: A young Catholic Nun of the Cuttack Bhubaneswar diocese
working Jan Vikas Kendra, the Social Service Centre at Nuagaon in
Kandhamal was reportedly gang raped on 24th August 2008 by groups of
Hindutva extremists before the building itself was destroyed.

3. SENIOR PRIEST AND NUN INJURED: Fr Thomas, director of the Diocesan
Pastoral Centre in Kanjimendi, less than a kilometer away from the
Social Service Centre, and another Nun were injured when the centre
was attacked. They were taken to the police station in a disheveled
state as the armed mob bayed for their blood. The Pastoral centre was
then set afire.

4. BALLIGUDA CHURCH BUILDINGS DESTROYED AGAIN: On 24th August 2008
evening lynch mobs at the block headquarters of Balliguda, in the very
heart of Kandhamal district, which had seen much violence between 24th
and 26th December 2007, attacked and destroyed a Presbytery, convent
and hostel damaging the properties.

5. The mobs in Balliguda caught hold of two boys of the Catholic
hostel and tonsured their heads.

6. PHULBANI CHURCH DAMAGED: On 25th august 2008 morning followers of
the late Lakshmanananda Saraswati damaged the Catholic Church in
Phulbani, the district headquarter town.

7. MOTHER TERESA BROTHERS ASHRAM ATTACKED: mobs attacked the Mother
Teresa Brothers¢ residence and hospital in Srasanada, destroyed once
before and rebuilt two months ago, and beat up the patients.
Fundamentalists have targeted Priests, religious and also the Faithful
in Pobingia also.

8. BHUBANESWAR BISHOP¢S HOUSE ATTACKED: On the morning of 25th August
2008, violent mobs made several attempts to enter the compounds of
Catholic Church and Archbishop¢s house in the heart of the Capital of
the State of Orissa. They could not enter because of the police
presence. They threw stones at the guesthouse of Archbishop¢s House,
damaging windows.

9. DUBURI PARISH; Another group of fundamentalists entered presbytery
in Duburi parish, managed by the SVDs and destroyed and damaged
property. Two priests of the parish are missing.

10. Mr. Jamaj Pariccha, Director of Gramya Pragati, is attacked and
his property, vehicle etc. damaged, burnt and looted.

11. A Baptist Church in Akamra Jila in Bhubaneswar is also damaged.

12. Christian institutions like St. Arnold¢s School (Kalinga Bihar),
AND NISWASS report some damage.

13. BOUDH DISTRICT [Adjoining Kandhamal]: Fundamentalists enter the
Catholic parish church and destroy property. People are fleeing to
safer places. But nothing seems safe.

14. Muniguda Catholic Fathers and Nuns¢ residence have been damaged.

15. Sambalpur HM Sister¢s residence (Ainthapalli) has suffered
damage.

16. Padanpur: One priest is attacked and admitted to a hospital.
Hostel boys and the in charge have moved away from the place.

17. Madhupur Catholic Church currently under attack.

18. SMALL CHURCHES: Attempted violence on small churches in various
districts, including Padampur, Sambalpur near GM College, Talsera,
Dangsoroda, Narayanipatara, Muniguda, Tummiibandh, Tangrapada,
Phulbani, Balliguda, Kalingia, Chakapad, Srasanranda.

19. VILLAGE CHRISTIAN HOUSES ATTACKED: Houses attacked on forest
hamlets of Balliguda, Kanjamandi Nuaguam (K.Nuaguam), Tiangia
(G.Udayagiri) , Padangiri, Tikabali.

20. KALAHAN DI DISTRICT: houses burnt even though the district is more
than 300 kilometers from the place where Swami Lakshmanananda was
killed.

21. Pastor Sikandar Singh of the Pentecostal Mission beaten up and his
house burnt in Bhawanipatna.

22. Kharihar: 3 Christian shops were looted and burnt. Pastor Alok Das
and Pastor I M Senapati beaten up.

23. Aampani: Pastor David Diamond Pahar, Pastor Pravin Ship, Pastor
Pradhan and Pastor Barik beaten up and chased away with their
families.

24. Naktikani: Mob surrounds village to attack Christians. The
government has sent forces, it is reported.

[This list is compiled with assistance from Archbishop's House,
Bhubaneswar, India and other sources]

More information here: http://orissaburning.blogspot.com/

Dreadful

Lord have mercy

Lord have mercy.

Lord, grant strength to those who are persecuted, and the grace of repentance to their persecutors.

"Blessed are they who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and utter every kind of evil against you (falsely) because of me. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward will be great in heaven. Thus they persecuted the prophets who were before you." (Mt. 5:10-12)


Peace,
Deacon Richard